Singled Out: Just Ivy's Paradise (featuring Akon)

08/23/2013.

Today up and coming pop and R&B star Just Ivy tells us about her debut song "Paradise," which features Akon and was produced by REO of The Soundkillers (Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Keyshia Cole). Here is the story:

I wanted to my debut single to be a fun, up-beat party record. So, jumping off from that, I felt like the lyrics and theme should embody this breezy, summery, blissful vibe to it. I love the beach, the sea, surfing, exciting locations and secret getaways, and these were all elements that I wanted to incorporate into the record. So, when my team and I reviewed the song options we were working with, "Paradise," naturally stuck out as the perfect song. It has all of the happy, fun, sexy elements I was looking for.

The next step was to identify a producer and a collaborator who would bring a modern party twist to the record. So, REO of the Soundkillers and legendary vocal producer and song writer Corey Gibson came through to work with me in the famed Quad Studio and it was magic. I immediately felt like This is the song! That's it! We have to write to it no matter what and make it a hit... Everything came together so fast. They knew exactly what to bring out of me to get a really pretty and danceable song to come to life.

When my team and I were brainstorming over the right artist to feature on the hook and Akon's name came up, it was like, Stop everything!! This is THE ONE!!! So, we reached out to him, and miraculously, he was available to work with me and the rest was.....Paradise! Working with Akon was a blast! He just makes everyone feel good and he inspired me to be at my best.

Thinking back on the pre-production and recording process, I couldn't have hoped for more incredible world-class hit-makers to work with on my first single. I am humbled and grateful.....

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself right here!